Abstract | Background:
Cupping therapy originated in Eastern Medicine, became renowned in complementary medicine and is utilized as a therapeutic treatment in contemporary medicine for musculoskeletal issues. As with any modality, there is a question of efficacy. Objective: This study investigated the effect of cupping therapy on muscle stiffness (MS), active dorsiflexion (DF) and perceived pain of the medial gastrocnemius muscle following a cupping therapy treatment. Methods: Single cohort design included 20 physically active, healthy participants (10 women, 10 men; age: 22.9 years ± 3.35 years) completed an exercise protocol to induce delayed onset muscle soreness in both lower legs. Intervention: A 5-minute dry cupping treatment was performed on the dominant leg medial gastrocnemius and 5 minutes of rest for the non-dominant control leg. Primary Outcome Measures: Muscle stiffness, active dorsiflexion and perceived pain were measured at baseline, pre-treatment, post-treatment and 5 minutes post-treatment in the medial gastrocnemius muscle. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the main effect and interaction for condition and time. Results: Active DF was significantly different from baseline to pre-treatment, post-treatment and 5 minutes post-treatment (P < .001, P < .001, P = .01, respectively). Pre-treatment to 5 minutes post-treatment, active DF was also significantly different (P = .05). Active DF was significantly improved post-treatment and 5 minutes post-treatment. Baseline pain was significantly different from pre-treatment, post-treatment and 5 minutes post-treatment measurements (P < .001, P < .001, P < .001, respectively). Pre-treatment pain was significantly different from post-treatment and 5 minutes post-treatment pain (P = .009, P < .001, respectively). Post-treatment pain was also significantly different from 5 minutes post-treatment pain (P = .007). MS was not significant at any of the time points (P = .398) or between conditions (P = .140). Conclusion: A single cupping treatment significantly improved active DF and decreased pain was observed in the treatment group. No significant difference in MS was observed following the treatment.
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Authors | Dave Hammons, Molly McCullough |
Journal | Alternative therapies in health and medicine
(Altern Ther Health Med)
Vol. 28
Issue 7
Pg. 80-87
(Oct 2022)
ISSN: 1078-6791 [Print] United States |
PMID | 34847072
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal
(physiology)
- Myalgia
(therapy)
- Pain Measurement
- Pain Perception
- Range of Motion, Articular
- Young Adult
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